Synchronized beamline at FLASH2 based on high-order harmonic generation for two-color dynamics studies

authored by

E. Appi, C. C. Papadopoulou, J. L. Mapa, C. Jusko, P. Mosel, A. Schoenberg, J. Stock, T. Feigl, S. Ališauskas, T. Lang, C. M. Heyl, B. Manschwetus, M. Brachmanski, M. Braune, H. Lindenblatt, F. Trost, S. Meister, P. Schoch, A. Trabattoni, F. Calegari, R. Treusch, R. Moshammer, I. Hartl, U. Morgner, M. Kovacev

Abstract

We present the design, integration, and operation of the novel vacuum ultraviolet (VUV) beamline installed at the free-electron laser (FEL) FLASH. The VUV source is based on high-order harmonic generation (HHG) in gas and is driven by an optical laser system synchronized with the timing structure of the FEL. Ultrashort pulses in the spectral range from 10 to 40 eV are coupled with the FEL in the beamline FL26, which features a reaction microscope (REMI) permanent endstation for time-resolved studies of ultrafast dynamics in atomic and molecular targets. The connection of the high-pressure gas HHG source to the ultra-high vacuum FEL beamline requires a compact and reliable system, able to encounter the challenging vacuum requirements and coupling conditions. First commissioning results show the successful operation of the beamline, reaching a VUV focused beam size of about 20 μm at the REMI endstation. Proof-of-principle photo-electron momentum measurements in argon indicate the source capabilities for future two-color pump-probe experiments.

Organisation(s)

PhoenixD: Photonics, Optics, and Engineering - Innovation Across Disciplines
QuantumFrontiers
Institute of Quantum Optics

External Organisation(s)

Deutsches Elektronen-Synchrotron (DESY)
Carl Zeiss SMT AG
Helmholtz Institute Jena
GSI Helmholtz Centre for Heavy Ion Research
Max Planck Institute for Nuclear Physics
Heidelberg University
Universität Hamburg
optiX fab GmbH

Type

Article

Journal

Review of scientific instruments

Volume

92

ISSN

0034-6748

Publication date

16.12.2021

Publication status

Published

Peer reviewed

Yes

ASJC Scopus subject areas

Instrumentation

Electronic version(s)

https://doi.org/10.1063/5.0063225 (Access: Open)